Gambling Man: Masayoshi Son Biography

[landstander]

I'd recommend the recent biography - Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World's Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son. Interesting read on his early-90's rise and up through his recent fundraising for AI. Quite a ride. 

[wescobrk]

I’m half way through and it’s very entertaining.

he reminds me of Elon regarding how bold he is. I don’t think any other business person is as bold and ambitious as those two.

i didn’t like how he screwed his professor with the translator.

Edited Wednesday at 11:50 AM by wescobrk

[schin]

2 hours ago, wescobrk said:

I’m half way through and it’s very entertaining.

he reminds me of Elon regarding how bold he is. I don’t think any other business person is as bold and ambitious as those two.

i didn’t like how he screwed his professor with the translator.

 

It's amazing how Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates were going to dilute/screw Paul Allen on Microsoft and of course, Steve Jobs screwed Woz on a check early on.... Maybe, it's a birthright.. but, it's crazy.

 

I read this Masa book and it glossed over on Alibaba and WeWorks.

https://www.amazon.com/Aiming-High-Masayoshi-SoftBank-Disrupting/dp/1529338581

 

Does this book dig deeper in Alibaba, Coupang, and WeWork investments?

[landstander]

The book does not cover Coupang. It does cover Alibaba in detail and WeWork to a lesser extent. 

 

In addition to his boldness, this book shows Masayoshi Son as incredibly charismatic. He has a long history of transactional relationships and negative outcomes for his counterparties, butt he never seemed to struggle with finding new partners to believe in his vision and provide funding.

[schin]

@landstander - Did it talk about his hedge fund and their large bets?  I know there are strong personalities from his lieutenants that are interesting and possibly, dumpster fires.

 

I know the book I read had a small part on his ARM Holding analysis.

[Xerxes]

If you enjoy having an inside look at Softbank, this will provide it:

 

 

[landstander]

@schin, there is decent coverage of his top lieutenants. Vastly different managers (risk appetite, background, etc), all vying to be the heir to Masayoshi Son.

 

Unfortunately I don't recall the book going into any detail on the hedge fund at all. 

 

@Xerxes, thank you! I've added it to my list.

[wescobrk]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:20 AM, schin said:

I did think of jobs and zuck but at least jobs made woz worth several hundred million dollars and zuck made the winklevoss twins a billion.

the professor got zero.

It's amazing how Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates were going to dilute/screw Paul Allen on Microsoft and of course, Steve Jobs screwed Woz on a check early on.... Maybe, it's a birthright.. but, it's crazy.

 

I read this Masa book and it glossed over on Alibaba and WeWorks.

https://www.amazon.com/Aiming-High-Masayoshi-SoftBank-Disrupting/dp/1529338581

 

Does this book dig deeper in Alibaba, Coupang, and WeWork investments?

 

Edited Thursday at 09:46 PM by wescobrk
Didn’t separate my comments from quote.

[wescobrk]

I did think of jobs and zuck but at least jobs made woz worth several hundred million dollars and zuck made the winklevoss twins a billion.

the professor got zero